Billet manipulator for rolling mills



Jill 1e 16', 1931, Y J, SMITMANS 1,810,684

BILLET MANIPULATOR FOR ROLLING MILLS Fild Aug. 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR wg-uysssas June 16, 1931.

J. A. SMITMANS BILLET MANIPULATOR FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Aug. 2. 4 She ets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ,1931. J? A. SMITMANS 1,810,684 I BILLET MANIPULATOR FOR ROLLING MILLS Filed Aug. 2. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet s WITNESSES INVENTOR Wall. M Q flmnw Jun: 16, 1931.

J. A. .S MITMANS BILLET MANIPULATOR FOR ROLLING MILLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 2. 1929 mvE rg-roR (111/ 'I/IIII/ 1 WITNES SE S Malina Patented June 16, 1931 UNITED-T S ATE JOHN A. sMI'rMAns, or PITTSBURGH, .PENNSYLV IA, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED raw GINEER-ING & ronnna y CDMPANY, or ?ITTSBURGH, rnmvsrnvama, a consona- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA BILLE r mAnrP nAron r03 R'oLLiive MILLS Application filed August 2, 192a. Sena-1' no. 382,887.

My invention pertains tothe rolling mill appliances commonly known as manipulators, that is to say, "devices for'adjusting the ingot, slab, billet, :bar,or other metal to be operated on in a rolling mill, on the feed table so as to bring it into proper position for entering theidesired pass of thereducing rolls. The invention relates especially to manipulators which function not only to adjust the metal laterally on the feed table but also to tilt the metal toturn it about its longitudinal aXis'so as to rest on a different edge from tlieretofore.

' Manipulators of the general charactento which my invention pertains usually comprise a pair ofsid'e guides,one disposed at eaohsideof the feed table of the rolling mill, which are selectively movable so as to direct the metal to thedesired pass of the reducingrrolls, and also includetilting devices,- ordinarily associated with one of the side guides, which are adapted to en-' gage the metal frornbeneath adjacent one edgev so as to raiseoneside of'the metal and tilt the latter about its longitudinal axis.

By'reason of the'heavy work they are called upon to perform, the heat to which they are subjected, the grit, scale and other wear-7 producing substances to which their moving parts-are to. acertain extent-exposed, etcl,

these manipulators are required to meet ex ceptionally 1 hard service conditions. Where I bearings requiring accuracy' of alignment have been'employed' for supporting rotating or sliding members, ashas-been the case 1 in numerous constructions of manipulator heretofore proposed; particularly in con'-' nectionwith' the tilting element-of the device, much trouble has been experienced {by reason of loss of such-alignment,resulting fromheat and thewearof the moving parts" as well as from the shocks" and pressures to. which such parts are subjected. Dilficulties of the same general nature have arisen, also, where, as has sometimes-been the case, it has been proposed to employ, for. operating the 1 tilting elements of the device, parts which move in planes disposed atangl'es, generally right angles, with respect to thepl-anes-of movement of theparts which operate the side guides. Attempts have been made to overcome these troubles by mounting a prime source of power (such as an electric motor) for thetilting elements in association with one of the side guides, so as to move with the latter ,but such constructions have drawbacks peculiar to themselves.

It is one of the objects of my invention to LAT T OFFICE! I provide a manipulator in which such'drawbacks asthe above-named will be avoided and which, while being capable of retaining its full working efiiciency in spite of the hard service conditions under which it operat-es,will not necessitate any prime source of power being supported on any moving element thereof and will occupy a'minimum of floor space. Other objects of my invention, among which is the-provision of a manipulator'which is exceptionally economical toflb uildand install, will appear from the following specification taken in con nection with. the claims annexed thereto- Byway: of example, I have described in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, togetherwith a modification thereof, one form of manipu-- later in which. my invention maybe enibodied. However, I wish-it understood that theinvention can be embodiedfin other forms, and that changes can be made in the form described and shown, and in its modification, without exceeding the scope thereof, asdefined in the-appendedclaims.

In the draw'in'gsz i Fig. '1 shows, in'plan, the feed table of a rolling mill, having ZQ HIRIIlPUlZLlSOI constructedlin accordance with my invention operatively associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is. a sectional elevation on'an. en larged scale, the section being taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front view on the same'scale as Fig. 2, showing a portion of one of the side guides, and one of the lifting fingers associated with the latter, as seen from theline IIIIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is a section taken on the line i IV IV of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, of the same generalnature as'Fig. '2, but showing a modified means for actuating the lifting fingers.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, the reducing rolls of an ordinary rolling mill are indicated at 10, and the rolls of an ordinary feed table at 11, the side frames of the feed table being designated 12. Beneath the feed table are arranged suitable support rolls 13 upon which are mounted, so as to be capable of longitudinal movement, a pair of large bars 14 which are formed at their outer ends with upwardly extending heads 15 having plates 16, which constitute what may be termed the outer side guide, secured thereto.

Mounted upon other rolls, similar to the rolls 13, are a second pair of large bars, 17, having at their ends upwardly extending portions 18 to which brackets 19 are connected. These brackets have portions constituting heads 20 in which are formed vertical slots 200: for receiving the lifting lingers 21 to be described below. The heads 20 have secured thereto plates 22 which constitute what may be termed the inner side guide. For shifting the metal transversely of the feed rolls 11, so as to position it to enter the desired pass of reducing rolls, the outer side guide and inner side guide are selectively moved transversely of the feed rolls by means of the bars 14 and 17, respectively.

In order to actuate the bars 14, to obtain the requisite movements of the outer side guide, such bars have racks 23 secured beneath the same, at their inner ends, with which racks mesh pinions 24 carried by a shaft 25 mounted in bearings carried by a suitable foundation, and adapted to be rotated, through a reduction unit 26, from an electric motor 27. Holddown rolls 13a, mounted in stands 18?) and engaging the bars 14 from above, are provided for maintaining the racks in proper meshing engagement with the pinions 24. l'iikewise, the bars 17 have secured beneath the same, at their inner ends, racks 28, with which mesh pinions 29 carried by a shaft 30 which is driven, through a reduction unit 31, from a second electric motor, 32. Hold-down rolls 135, similar to the rolls 13a employed 7 for the bars 14, are provided for the bars 17.

The circuits for the motors 27 and 32 are arranged so that the operation of these motors is selectively under the control of an operator of the null, in such manner that either motor can be caused to rotate in either direction at will. both of the side guides can be shifted laterally of the feed rolls 11 so as to move the metal into the requisite position on such;

By this means, either or as at 34 (Figs. 2 and 3), so that the lifting engagement of the hooks with the metal will occur adjacent the edge of the latter. The lifting fingers are vertically movable in the slots 20a, of the head 20, and, when depressed, occupy such a position that the engaging portions of the hooks 33 are somewhat below the level of the tops of the feed rolls 11, so as to be out of the path of the metal on such feed rolls.

For raising and lowering the lifting fingers .21, the latter are slotted, at 35, to receive the ends of levers 36, which are pivoted at their outer ends in such slots and are secured, at their inner ends, to a pair of separated shafts 37 rockably mounted in bearings 38 carried by the bracket 19. From this it will be seen that when the shafts 37 are rocked in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2), the lifting fingers 21 will be raised to an extent which is determined by the amount of the rocking move ment of the shafts. Prior to such raising, the inner side guide 20 will be in proximity with the metal, having, if necessary, been moved into such proximity by operation of the motor 32. Accordingly the stepped engaging portions 34 of the hooks 33 of the lifting fingers will engage beneath the metal, adjacent the edge of the latter, and will tilt the metal as indicated at Z) in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Having been thus tilted, the metal can be further manipulated, by pushing itlaterally with either or both of the side guides, until it rests upon an edge other than that upon which it was previously resting.

For actuating the shafts 37 to rock the same, these shafts have secured, to the ends thereof which are adjacent each other, a pair of levers 39 between which is pivoted the enlarged head 40 of a bar 41, so that a reciprocation of such bar will effect a rocking of the shafts 37 in one direction or the other. The shafts 37, bar 41 and other associated parts of the lifting fingers, all move with the inner side guide during the various adjustments of the position of the latter; and it is necessary that the movement of the side guide shall not result in any material movement of the lifting fingers with respect thereto. In order to maintain this condition, and at the same time provide for actuating the lifting fingers 21 when desired, the bar 41 has secured beneath it, at its inner end, a rack 42 with which meshes a pinion 43 mounted in suitable hearings in a housing 44. The latter (Figs. 2 and 4) is formed with trunnions 45 mounted in the bearings of a stand 46 and is formed with internal bearings, coaxial with the trunnions 45, for receiving a gear wheel 47 which meshes with the pinion 43. The gear wheel 47 also meshes with a pinion 48, which is secured upon the shaft 30 and is of the same pitch diameter the pinions 29 on such shat-t meshing with the racksof thebars 17 wh ch actuate theiniier side guide. The housing 4 3'; has pivoted 'thereto, coaxially with the pinion, 43, an enclosing guide member 49 through which the bar 41 passes and in which arev mounted rolls50'which bear upon the top of the bar i1 andlnaintain the racl' 42 m proper mesh ,with the teeth of. the pnnon 4L3.

Considering the housing 44.- as stationary, as will be the case when an adjustment merely of the side guide 20 is being made. itwill be seen that, the peripheral speeds of the pinions 29, pinion 48, gear wheel 47 and pinion 43 being the same, the bar 4:1.will have a longitudinal movement whichis the same asany-that maybe imparted to the bar 17. Thus during anadjustment of the inner side guide, no, movement ofthe lizfting fingers 21 relatively thereto will occur. For. moving the liftingfingers 21, in order to effect a tilting of the metal or a return of the liftingfingers, the housing a4 is rocked in itsbearings in the stand 46, where upon the pinion 43 has a planetary move ment around the gear wheel 47 with-a resulting movement of the bar 41 relative to the bar '17'and'consequently-a rocking of, the shafts '37 in. one direction or the other toraise or. lower the lifting fingers 21. In order to effectthe rocking-movement of the housing twhen desired, thelatter is formed with a rearwardly extending ear,.51 to which is pivoted the upperend of aconnecting rod 52 the lower end of which is pivoted'to the crank' pin 53 of a crankzdiskfi i.secured to ashatt 55 which is actuated'throu'gh a suitable reduction unit' 56 from aithird electric motor, 57-. By operating the motor 57, the housing 44 can be-majde', to'rock: in one direc- I tion or the other in its bearings in the stand 46,-with the result that the bar; 4:1 is caused to move either forwardly *or rearwardly/in. relation to the bar 17, with an accompanying raising or lowering of the lifting fingers 21 In theyoperation' of the. device, when itiis desired to shift the metal laterally with. r spect to the feed rolls 11, either or both of the-.mOtorS-Q'Z, .32 are: operated tomov'e the side guides in the desirech'directions.

.VVhen it'is desired toturn the metal on edge, the motor 57 is operated to. actuate the lifting-fingers 21, and itf will be observed that this'actuation of theliftingfingers'can lie-made to take place regardless of whether the inner 'sidegu1cle'1sat rest or in motion p at the time.

The manipulator of my invention'einploys no rotating or sliding part-s supported bearings requiring particular accuracy. of alignment; and theconstruction,further, is

such that any wear of one element which may, take placeuisnot likelyto affect.- injuriously theoperation of other, elements.

ing upwardirom the foundation.

could not injuriously affect the operation of 41, shafts 37 ,etc.

the tilting element, comprised by the bar,

(Another advantage of my improvedmanipulator 1S that all of 1ts parts move in planes which are parallel with one another,;no instruinentalities being employed for converting motion in one plane into motion in a plane at an angle thereto. In addition, the manipulator is of. an exceptionally simple and economical construction and can be in stalled cheaply. c

In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified means for actuating the lifting fingers 21. AC? cording to this construction a link 60 ispivotally mounted upon a standard 61 extend- Rotatably mounted in t-helink 60 is. a sheave 62 around which passes a flexible cable 63 one end of which is wound upon a drum 641. This drum is secured to the shaft 30 and'is of a diameter which, taking into consideration the diameter of thecable 63,- corresponds with the pitch diameter of the pinions 29- which actuate the bars 17. The other'end 7 lifting fingers 21 will'remain-station'ary with.

respect to the innerside guide. In order to efiect independentmovement of the lifting fingers,-theli'nk 60has pivoted to its upperend a connecting rod. 65, one endof this red being pivotedtoa crank 67 secured upon the shaft. of a motor 68. I When the motor yr.

681 is operated, the link 60'will becausedto rock in; one dir eetionaor the: other, thereby to pull upon the cable. 63,,[raisingv the lifting fingers 21, or'to slacken such cable, allowing the. lifting fingersto. descend by reason oi their weight. I claim;

A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a device forinoving the same,

element, said actuating means includin'gya rotatable, member cooperatively EISSOClZliZQCl with said idevice-so as tobe rotated at a..

peripheral speed substantially the same as the speedof 1nove1nentxof said. side guide, and means for operating $21161 rotatable meirher to actuate. said tilting element.

a; tilting elem'ent. a-ssociatedwith said side guide, and means for actuating said tilting normally stationary rotatable member coop,-

erativelyfassociated with said driving device so as to be rotated at a peripheral speed substantially the same as th speed of movement of said side guide, and means for bodily moving said member, thereby to actuate said tilting element.

manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a tilting element associated therewith, an actuating member for said tilt ng element, a device for operating said actuating member, means for operating said device during movement of said side guide to cause said actuating member to move through distances the same as moved through by said side guide, thereby to maintain said tilting element substantially stationary with respect to said side guide during movements of the latter, and means for operating said device to cause relative movement between said actuating member and said side guide, thereby to actuate said tilting element.

4. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a tilting element associated there with, a member for actuating said tilting element, a normally stationary device associated with said member for moving the latter, means for operating said device during movements of said side guide to move said member at substantially the speed of movement of said side guide, and means for operating said device to move said member relatively to said side guide, thereby to actuate said tilting element.

5. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a tilting element associated therewith, a member for actuating said tilting element, a normally stationary rotatable member associated with said actuating member to move the latter,.means for rotating said rotatable member to cause said actuating member to move at substantially the speed of movement of said side guide, and means for bodily moving said rotatable member, thereby to actuate said tilting element.

6. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, means for moving the same, a tilting element associated with said side guide, a member for actuating said tilting element, a rotatable member associated with said actuating member for moving the latmember associated with said actuating mem her for moving the latter, connection means between said rotatable member and said side guide moving means to cause said rotatable member to move said actuating member at a speed proportionate to the speed of movement of said side guide, and means for bodily moving said rotatable member, whereby said tilting element is actuated.

8. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, rotary means for moving the same, a tilting element associated with said side guide, rotary actuating means for said tilting element, connection means between said first and second named rotary means for causing them to move at corresponding peripheral speeds, and separate means for operating said rotary actuating means to actuate said tilting element.

9. A manipulator comprising a side guide, a rack associated therewith, a pinion for moving said rack, a tilting element associated with said side guide, a normally stationary rotatable member for actuating said tilting element, connection means between said pinion and said rotatable member for causing the latter to rotate at a peripheral speed corresponding to that of said pinion, and means for bodily moving said rotatable member, whereby said tilting element is actuated.

10. A manipulator comprising a side guide, a rotatable member for moving the same, a tilting element associated with said side guide, a stationary pivoted support, a rotatable member carried by said support for actuating said tilting element, gearing carried by said support and associated with said rotatable members to cause them to rotate at corresponding peripheral speeds, and means for rocking said support about its pivot, whereby said tilting element is actuated 11. A manipulator comprising a side guide, a rotatable member for moving the same, a tilting element associated with said side guide, a stationary pivoted support, a gear wheel carried by said support coaxially with the pivot thereof, connection means whereby said gear wheel is driven by said rotatable member, a pinion carried by said support and disposed in planetary association with said gear wheel, connection means between said pinion and said tilting element, and means for moving said support about its pivot, whereby said tilting element is actuated. v

12. A manipulator comprising a side guide, a rack for moving the same, a pinion for actuating said rack, a tilting element associated with said side guide, a pivoted support, a gear wheel associated with said support coaxially with the pivot thereof and having geared relation with said pinion to cause it to move at the same peripheral speed as the latter, a pinion carried by said support in planetary association-with said gear Wheel, a rack meshing with said lastnamed pinion and connected with said tilting element to actuate the latter, and means for rocking said support about its pivot, whereby said tilting element is actuated.

13. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a tilting element associated therewith, a pulley mounted for bodily movement, flexible means passing over said pulley and connected. with said tilting element, means for moving said flexible means to accord with movement of said side guide, and means for bodily moving said pulley thereby to actuate said tilting element through said flexible means.

14. A manipulator comprising a movable side guide, a tilting element associated therewith, a pulley mounted for bodily movement, a second pulley, flexible means passing over said first-named pulley connected with said tilting element and wound on said second-named pulley, means for rotating said second-named pulley at a speed to correspond with movement of said side guide, and means for bodily moving said first-named pulley thereby to actuate said tilting element through said flexible means.

In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

JOHN A. SMITMANS. 

